Research Assistant

Teaching Surveying to Level 1 Civil Engineering Students.

Civil Engineering Degree.

Have previously taught Surveying. Have practical experience of Surveying.

Hours: Up to 40 hours (September 2024 ? June 2025, with potential for additional hours)
Training: 3 hours (provided)
Data Management: 10 hours for data comparison and reporting
Location: Remote (via Zoom)

The Widening Participation Unit at Queen?s University Belfast is seeking to recruit a Reading Assessor to support the delivery of the Reading Together programme, aimed at improving reading skills and attitudes among children with lived experience of care. The programme is funded by the Department for Education Step Up Funding and is designed for primary school pupils in P4-P7.

The Reading Assessor will be responsible for conducting and recording reading assessments using the NEALE Reading Assessment, at the start and end of the 12-week programme. Assessments will be conducted via Zoom, with full training provided. The role requires the assessor to manage Zoom meetings with participants, record results accurately, and complete required reports.

The majority of assessments will take place between 3:30 pm and 7:00 pm, Monday to Friday, and will be scheduled during specific times of the year:

• September - October 2024 (Max 24 Pre-Reading Assessments) 
• January - March 2025 (Max 48 Post-Reading and Pre-Reading Assessments)
• May - June 2025 (Max 24 Post-Reading Assessments)

NB: we aim to have 3 assessors in post. Each post holder will complete a third of the maximum assessment each time.

Responsibilities

• Conduct pre- and post-reading assessments for children in P4-P7 via Zoom.
• Administer the NEALE Reading Assessment (training provided).
• Set up and manage Zoom calls with participants and their carers/parents.
• Record assessment data in a reading assessment spreadsheet accurately.
• Assist in data comparison and reporting as required.
• Maintain communication with carers/parents professionally and clearly.
• Engage with children in a friendly, motivating, and approachable manner.
• Address any queries regarding the Reading Together programme.
• Ensure safeguarding of children, adhering to the Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Groups Act (training provided).
• Collaborate closely with the Widening Participation Unit and Queens University academic staff.
• Act as a positive role model for higher education to programme participants.
• The role's hours depend on the scheduling of assessments and may fluctuate throughout the year.

This is a unique opportunity to support a meaningful programme that helps children in foster care develop essential reading skills while gaining valuable experience in educational assessment and data management.

Please Submit CV and Cover letter with your application

Be Competent in carrying out one to one assessments online for the role. Training will be provided

Essential Criteria

• Registered as an undergraduate or postgraduate student at Queen?s University Belfast for the academic year 2024-2025.
• Experience using Zoom and Microsoft Forms.
• Experience with basic data collection.
• Experience working with young people.
• Strong interest in supporting young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to progress in education.
• For students whose first language is not English: A minimum IELTS score of 7.0 in the speaking and writing bands (or equivalent). Proof of IELTS scores may be required.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience conducting reading assessments.
• Knowledge of the Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Groups Act.
• Familiarity with the Reading Together programme at Queen?s University Belfast.

Student Mentor for the Together Programme are programmes which aim to raise the literacy & numeracy levels of children in care (Looked After Children) aged 9 -12 years. Additionally, we have a Transition Programme (assisting child in care moving on to post-primary education) will run this year.  Student Mentors are required to provide one-to-one paired reading and one-to-one numeracy support between October 2024 ? 30th June 2025 inclusive. Full training will be provided ? Applicants must be available for training on 1st and 3rd October for all programmes. 

The requirements of this post are that applicants must be currently registered and attending a course at Queen's University, Belfast for academic year 2024-2025. Students applying for this post MUST be able to evidence in writing how they meet the essential and desirable criteria outlined below. Students who DO NOT provide evidence will not be shortlisted and the application will not be considered.

- Registered student at Queens University Belfast for academic year 2024-2025 and for the full period that these posts are available, otherwise the application will not be considered.

(Please note, eligibility restrictions apply to PGR/MPhil applicants based on date of first registration with the University as per our code of practice and University Regulations associated with PhD and MPhil research degrees, in the first instance);

- All students for whom English is not their first language must have a minimum pass mark of 7 in the writing and speaking elements of IELTS (International English Language Test Score) or equivalent in order to be considered;

Please note a copy of your IELTS results will be requested by email to your QUB email address following submission of your application);

- A minimum of one years experience of working with children.

- Experience of working within a team.

- An understanding of the issues and barriers facing children in care.

- The successful candidate will:

• be required to undertake an Access NI check, and to provide a certificate of good conduct if having lived outside the UK for one year or more
• be willing to undergo training on paired reading, numeracy and transition skills (provided by Queens University)
• undergo safeguarding training (provided by Widening Participation Unit).

Please Submit CV and Cover Letter with you application.